Prime Minister Keir Starmer Confirms Intention to Recognize Palestine

• The Prime Minister plans to recognize Palestine, provided Israel does not proceed with the ongoing violence.
• The Government of the United Kingdom emphasizes that the recognition of Palestine is in accordance with international law.
• Discussions regarding the recognition of Palestine have sparked controversy among lawyers.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stated that he listens to the advocates for recognizing Hamas, but still intends to recognize Palestine, provided Israel does not continue with the ongoing violence and a two-state solution.

The Prime Minister reported that he consulted with Emily Damaris, who was released after 471 days in captivity. She accused him of being in a "moral quandary" due to his decision to recognize Palestine as a state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

He emphasized that it is necessary to release all captives, and it is also essential to take measures to alleviate humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

The Prime Minister added: "I particularly listen to advocates, such as Emily Damaris, with whom I consulted, and also her mother. They have experienced horrific trauma."

He also noted that if the circumstances do not change, the United Kingdom will recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

However, the government did not clarify whether Starmer's demand to release all captives precedes the recognition of Palestine. He stated that it would be evaluated, depending on how Israel and Hamas fulfill the set conditions.

Jonathan Reynolds, the business minister, indicated that Hamas is not part of the negotiations regarding the recognition of Palestine, as it is a terrorist organization.

The government also emphasized that its plans regarding the recognition of Palestine comply with international law, regardless of the opinions of some members of the House of Lords.

Gareth Thomas, the business minister, confirmed that the recognition of another state is a political decision, and over 140 countries have already recognized Palestine.

Among the members of the House of Lords who signed a letter to the Attorney General, there are well-known lawyers who assert that the recognition of Palestine may violate international law.

However, other lawyers, such as Philip Sands, believe that Palestine meets all legal criteria for statehood, and that the question of recognition is political, not legal.

Tags: Middle East/Politics